Harry J. Cargas was writing from the Department of English at Saint Louis University in Missouri. He was the former editor of Queen's Work, who published Merton's introduction to the Japanese edition of The Seven Storey Mountain. He was a decorated combat veteran who had become a pacifist and liked Merton's writings on non-violence.

One comeback on the projected series of books, and the one I asked of you on St. John of the Cross.

asking if Merton would at least choose the best 15 articles from a larger number that Cargas would send if he will not write one himself / his background of decorated combat veteran turned pacifist
«detailed view»

Merton may be interested but does not want to do any more on John of the Cross - suggest many other writers, many non-Catholics - "three best [...] St Anselm, Origen and Solovyov, -- with Flannery O'C. [O'Connell] in case you don't want a non-catlick." / caveat against claiming to be a complete pacifist - Pope Paul's approach
«detailed view»

Merton may be interested but does not want to do any more on John of the Cross - suggest many other writers, many non-Catholics - "three best [...] St Anselm, Origen and Solovyov, -- with Flannery O'C. [O'Connor] in case you don't want a non-catlick." / caveat against claiming to be a complete pacifist - Pope Paul's approach
«detailed view»

references to Thoreau by Merton - Conjectures, Sign of Jonas, mentioned "Thoreau and Emily Dickenson made me glad of being an American" in a letter to Mark Van Doren / not a Thoreau expert but living Walden-like existence at hermitage / Thoreau a "bridge builder between East and West"
«detailed view»

references to Thoreau by Merton - Conjectures, Sign of Jonas, mentioned "Thoreau and Emily Dickenson made me glad of being an American" in a letter to Mark Van Doren / not a Thoreau expert but living Walden-like existence at hermitage / Thoreau a "bridge builder between East and West"
«detailed view»

I have been asked by Bruce Publishing House to edit a series on war. The idea is to get people

asking Merton to write an article on war and respond to four other points of view / Jean-Robert Leguey Feilleux, vice-president of CAIP [Catholic Association for International Peace?] to present on view, Cargas to present pacifist point of view - looking for someone as an "articulate super hawk" / Merton's note on letter "No- Jan 26."
«detailed view»